When was Tiffany & Co. founded?

Tiffany & Co. was founded in New York in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young.

What is the Tiffany Setting?

The Tiffany Setting, introduced in 1886, is a six-prong engagement ring setting that lifts the diamond above the band to let in more light.

Who are the Tiffany designers?

Tiffany has worked with celebrated designers including Jean Schlumberger, Elsa Peretti and Paloma Picasso, whose collections remain part of the house today.

Is Tiffany silver solid sterling?

Tiffany's silver jewellery is generally made in sterling silver, marked "925" or "Sterling" alongside the Tiffany & Co. signature.

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Tiffany & Co.

By the Encore Luxe specialists · Updated October 2026

Tiffany & Co. is a house of two personalities, and both are part of its charm. One is the great American jeweller, with important diamonds, the six-prong engagement ring and the jewels of Jean Schlumberger. The other is the playful, democratic Tiffany, home of the Return to Tiffany tag and the Elsa Peretti bean. Together they explain why Tiffany is often the first fine jewellery someone owns, and sometimes the most important. This guide introduces the house, its designers and icons, and what our specialists look at in pre-loved Tiffany.

Key facts


Founded	1837, New York
Founders	Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young
Signature details	Tiffany Blue, the Tiffany Setting, sterling silver standard
Designers	Jean Schlumberger, Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso
Icons	Tiffany Setting, Return to Tiffany, T, HardWear, Victoria, Schlumberger, Elsa Peretti
Metals	Sterling silver, 18k gold, platinum

A short history

Tiffany began as a stationery and "fancy goods" store in New York in 1837. Under Charles Lewis Tiffany, it became a jeweller of international renown. It adopted the 925 sterling silver standard, later taken up as the American standard. In 1878 it acquired the Tiffany Diamond, a large yellow diamond, and in 1886 introduced the Tiffany Setting, which raised the diamond above the band.

In the twentieth century, designers transformed the house. Jean Schlumberger joined in 1956 with fantastical, nature-inspired jewels. Elsa Peretti, from 1974, brought organic forms such as the Bean, Open Heart and Bone Cuff. Paloma Picasso joined in 1980 with bold colour and graffiti-like lines. In 1969 the Return to Tiffany key ring appeared, later becoming a jewellery icon.

The pieces most often asked about

Tiffany Setting: the six-prong engagement ring. We currently have a Tiffany Setting platinum 0.52ct F VS1 engagement ring with a platinum wedding band.
Return to Tiffany: tags, bracelets and necklaces.
Schlumberger: jewels of extraordinary craftsmanship. We currently have Schlumberger Lynn diamond stud earrings.
Elsa Peretti: the Bean, Open Heart, Diamonds by the Yard and Bone Cuff.
Tiffany T and HardWear: modern, graphic collections.
Coloured diamonds: including fancy yellow diamonds. We currently have a Fancy Intense Yellow diamond double-halo ring in platinum.

What we look at in pre-loved Tiffany

Our specialists examine:

Metal and hallmarks: consistent with the piece.
Signature: crisp "Tiffany & Co." or "T & Co." marks, with designer names where relevant.
Construction: links, clasps and settings.
Stones: quality, settings and any certificates.
Engraving: font, spacing and depth.

Read how we authenticate Tiffany & Co..

Caring for Tiffany

Silver: wipe with a silver cloth; store in an anti-tarnish pouch.
Gold and platinum: warm water, mild soap and a soft brush.
Diamonds: have settings checked periodically.
Storage: keep pieces separately to avoid scratches.

Tiffany at Encore Luxe

See our Tiffany & Co. page for pieces currently available.

Choosing pre-loved Tiffany

Begin with metal. Sterling silver is the classic material of Return to Tiffany and many Elsa Peretti designs: bright, light-catching and easy to wear every day, though it tarnishes and needs occasional care. 18-carat gold is warmer, heavier and does not tarnish. Platinum, used for the Tiffany Setting and many diamond pieces, is dense, durable and naturally white.

Next, consider stones. For diamond pieces, our listings give the details we can confirm, such as carat weight, colour and clarity, and note any Tiffany certificate that accompanies the piece. Coloured diamonds, such as Tiffany's fancy yellow diamonds, are described by their colour grade.

Then think about size. Rings are listed with their UK size, and we note any visible resizing. Bracelets and necklaces are listed with their measured length. Chain bracelets such as Return to Tiffany come in several lengths, so please measure your wrist before choosing.

Finally, condition. Silver shows light scratches and tarnish with wear; gold and platinum show fine surface marks. Engraving can soften with polishing. Our listings describe each piece precisely, with photographs.

The language of Tiffany

Tiffany Setting is the six-prong engagement ring. T & Co. is the house's signature mark. 925 marks sterling silver; Au 750 marks 18-carat gold; PT950 marks platinum. VS1 is a diamond clarity grade. Our glossary explains these and more.

Related: Return to Tiffany · Cartier · Glossary

Encore Luxe is an independent retailer and is not affiliated with Tiffany & Co.

Questions we’re often asked

When was Tiffany & Co. founded?: Tiffany & Co. was founded in New York in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young.
What is the Tiffany Setting?: The Tiffany Setting, introduced in 1886, is a six-prong engagement ring setting that lifts the diamond above the band to let in more light.
Who are the Tiffany designers?: Tiffany has worked with celebrated designers including Jean Schlumberger, Elsa Peretti and Paloma Picasso, whose collections remain part of the house today.
Is Tiffany silver solid sterling?: Tiffany's silver jewellery is generally made in sterling silver, marked "925" or "Sterling" alongside the Tiffany & Co. signature.